Bonhams opened its Stafford Sale on Saturday with a single-owner collection of 60 vintage American motorcycles selling at a 91 percent sell-through for a total of more than $2.05 million (£1,331,535).
Motorcycles by Indian led the way in the British sale with a 1930 Model 402 with sidecar selling for $149,335, which Bonhams said is a world auction record for that marque (prices include buyer’s premium).
A 1914 Indian 7hp Big Twin brought $71,038, nearly doubling its high pre-auction estimate. A 1905 Indian 2 1/4 “Camel Back” also far exceeded its pre-auction estimate, selling for $62,158.
“Stored in an astonishing private museum of motorcycles, the highly prized Lonati collection celebrates American marques from across pivotal points in motorcycle manufacture,” Bonhams said in its news release.
“Today’s sale was a resounding success,” Malcom Barber, Bonhams co-chairman, said in a news release. “Bonhams have a long established reputation for successfully handling single-owner collections, with the Italian Lonati Collection Sale further cementing that status.
“We witnessed strong international bidding, with several American clients traveling to the sale, and many European bidders in the audience and on the telephone. We now look forward to tomorrow’s auction, with more than 150 incredible motorcycles still to go under the hammer.”
Other highlights included a 1910 Pierce 688cc Four that sold for $97,446, a 1930 Henderson 1301cc Model KJ “Streamline” that brought $76,366, a 1930 Harley-Davidson 1200cc Model V that went for $53,278 and a 1911 Flying Merkel 498cc “Racing” bike that sold for $51,502.
The auction concludes Sunday.